Yes Minister
When I saw this photo of new British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy PM Nick Clegg meeting at No. 10 Downing Street, my first thought was “Bernard Woolley hasn’t aged much.”
Amazonian History
While catching up on my blog-reading, I ran across this Megan McArdle post suggesting readers look up their first order with Amazon. I ordered this book on November 10, 1997:
Hail Brittania!
The British people have spoken but we don’t know what they’ve said.
-Paddy Ashdown
- The Conservative Party failed to gain a majority despite widespread dissatisfaction with the economy and fatigue after 13 years of Labour rule.
- The incumbent Labour Party gained its smallest share of votes in almost 80 years, yet still came in second despite polling only 29% and losing almost 100 seats.
- The Liberal Democrats garnered only a tad higher percentage of votes than 2005, far short of pre-election polling numbers, and lost 13 seats (while gaining 8 new ones) despite general expectations of a net gain of at least 20.
Cows Coming Home
I thought the far-flung friends of once-frequent commenter Karen might like to know that I spoke with Karen late last week and that she reports all is well with her. The family is just about completely resettled back in their home, which they returned to a few months ago after deciding not to exercise the option to purchase the bigger farm they’d been leasing. As one of the consequences of returning to their old place is the loss of a regular internet connection, Karen says it is unlikely that she will be returning any time soon and sends her regards to one and all.
Although a heavy snow was falling during our conversation, Karen said spring was in the air and that their cows will soon be back in the pasture. (Karen also asked me to remind everyone to support small family farmers by buying organic milk!)
Rorschach Test
This Chris Ware work for the cover for the May issue of Fortune was rejected. The various messages contained therein would probably make a great political Rorschach test. (Click on the graphic to zoom in on details.)
(Via Transatlantic.)
I love this candid photo currently appearing on The Times website, taken during tonight’s third and final debate between the three leaders of the parties contesting the British elections next week. That’s David Cameron of the Conservative Party on the left, Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats in the middle, and current Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the Labour Party on the right.
For those who may not be following this story:
This year marked the first series of televised debates between potential prime ministers in British history. One of the unanticipated results has been the meteoric rise in support for the hitherto perpetual third-place Liberal Democrats. Odds are now good that they will come in a strong second (up to twice their pre-debate support) and Labour will garner it’s lowest vote percentage (perhaps only 25%) in over 80 years. Despite this, Labour will probably end up with at least two times as many seats in the new Parliament as the Lib Dems. Prior to the debates, it was widely assumed that the Conservatives would win an absolute majority, but that is far from assured now.
Photographic History
Take a gander at these B&W photos of some cars of yesteryear and then read “the rest of the story” under the fold.
My Side Versus the Other Side
Why is the other side of the debates I’m on always so hypocritical? They always jump on what my side says, and yet they willfully ignore all the faults on their own side. Let’s be honest about the double standard: The other side gets away with stuff that my side would never get away with. It’s just like the other side to be so deceitful: They’re always looking to score any advantage they can. People like that drive me crazy, and it seems like most of the people on the other side are just like that.
(Source: The Internet)
– Orin Kerr at The Volokh Conspiracy
20 Great Foods You Aren’t Eating
OK, maybe you are eating them, but that’s the headline of this article in The Times (UK).
The list:
- Baked Beans
- Green Tea
- Oily Fish
- Parsley
- Apples
- Grapefruit
- Tomatoes
- Pomegranates
- New Potatoes
- Oats
- Poached Eggs
- Frozen Peas
- Prunes
- Dark Chocolate
- Frozen Berries
- Olives
- Almonds
- Chillies
- Wholewheat Pasta
- Turmeric
Ambiance 
